Disconnectable one-way sprag clutch

Abstract

A drive system includes an inner race member and an outer race member. A first disengageable dog clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the first disengageable dog clutch having a drive direction and a freewheel direction. A second disengageable dog clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the second disengageable dog clutch having a drive direction and a freewheel direction opposite the drive direction and the freewheel direction of the first disengageable dog clutch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a disengaged one-way wedge clutch and a dual wedge clutch system having two disengaged one-way wedge clutches, the two disengaged one-way wedge clutches being designed to deliver torque in opposite directions of rotation or simply to change the relative angular position of the inner race relative to the outer race. Background Technology

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of presenting the general background of this disclosure. The work of the currently attributed inventors, to the extent described in this section, and in respect of aspects of that description that may not otherwise constitute prior art at the time of filing, is neither expressly nor implicitly considered to conflict with the prior art of this disclosure.

[0003] A sprag clutch is a freewheel drive device with an inner and an outer race, either of which can be an input or output component. The input component can be arranged to drive the output component in a selected direction and allow the output component to overtake in the opposite direction. Sprag clutches can transmit large torques within a small overall size.

[0004] A wedge clutch comprises an array of shaped steel wedges located in an annular space between concentric inner and outer races. Power is transmitted from one race to the other through the wedging action of the wedges between them. Each wedge is shaped such that rotation of one race in the 'drive' direction causes the wedge to tilt, thus transferring all torque from one race to the other. Conversely, rotation of the race in the opposite direction releases the wedge and allows overrunning between the races. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A drive system includes an inner race member and an outer race member. A first disengaged wedge clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the first disengaged wedge clutch having a drive direction and a freewheeling direction. A second disengaged wedge clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the second disengaged wedge clutch having a drive direction and a freewheeling direction opposite to the drive direction and freewheeling direction of the first disengaged wedge clutch.

[0006] According to a further aspect of this disclosure, a wedge clutch includes: an inner race member; an outer race member; and a plurality of wedges supported between the inner and outer race members, each of the wedges having a support region and a wedge-shaped surface, wherein a recess is provided in the wedge-shaped surface. An expandable ring is received in the recess of each of the plurality of wedges.

[0007] According to a further aspect, a wedge for use in a wedge clutch includes a metal body having a support region having a pair of recesses at each end, each recess defining a support boss. The metal body further includes a wedge-shaped surface having recesses disposed within the wedge-shaped surface.

[0008] This invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0009] 1. A drive system comprising:

[0010] Inner seat ring component;

[0011] Outer ring component;

[0012] A first disengaged wedge clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the first disengaged wedge clutch having a driving direction and a free rotation direction; and

[0013] A second disengaged wedge clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the second disengaged wedge clutch having a drive direction and a free rotation direction opposite to the drive direction and the free rotation direction of the first disengaged wedge clutch.

[0014] 2. The drive system according to claim 1, wherein the first disengageable wedge clutch and the second disengageable wedge clutch each include a disengagement mechanism for preventing the first disengageable wedge clutch and the second disengageable wedge clutch from engaging in the drive direction.

[0015] 3. The drive system according to claim 2, wherein the disengagement mechanism includes an expandable ring that engages the wedges of a corresponding first disengageable wedge clutch and a second disengageable wedge clutch and prevents the wedges from engaging the inner race member when expanded.

[0016] 4. The drive system according to embodiment 3, wherein the disengagement mechanism includes a plunger disposed in the hollow cavity of the inner race member and having a cam surface, the cam surface engaging a plurality of balls disposed in corresponding window openings in the inner race member and capable of engaging the expandable ring, wherein movement of the plunger within the inner race member causes the balls to extend radially outward from the window openings and causes the expandable ring to expand to disengage the wedge from the inner race.

[0017] 5. The drive system according to embodiment 4, wherein the plunger is actuated by one of hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic and mechanical actuators.

[0018] 6. The drive system according to claim 1, wherein the first disengageable wedge clutch and the second disengageable wedge clutch each include a plurality of wedges having a wedge-shaped surface for engaging the inner race member, and each of the plurality of wedges includes a recess within the wedge-shaped surface, wherein an expandable ring is received in the recess of each of the wedges.

[0019] 7. The drive system according to embodiment 6, wherein the recess is substantially centered within the wedge-shaped surface.

[0020] 8. The drive system according to embodiment 3, wherein the wedge is supported at opposite ends by a pair of actuation rings of each of the first disengaged wedge clutch and the second disengaged wedge clutch.

[0021] 9. A wedge clutch, comprising:

[0022] Inner seat ring component;

[0023] Outer ring component;

[0024] A plurality of wedges are supported between the inner race member and the outer race member, each of the wedges having a support area and a wedge-shaped surface, wherein a recess is provided in the wedge surface; and

[0025] A ring, which is received in the recess of each of the plurality of wedges.

[0026] 10. The wedge clutch according to embodiment 9, wherein the ring is made of spring steel.

[0027] 11. The wedge clutch according to embodiment 8, wherein the ring is an open ring.

[0028] 12. The wedge clutch according to claim 9, further comprising a disengagement mechanism for preventing the plurality of wedges from engaging in the driving direction.

[0029] 13. The wedge clutch according to claim 12, wherein the disengagement mechanism causes the ring to expand to prevent the wedge from engaging the inner race member.

[0030] 14. The wedge clutch according to claim 13, wherein the disengagement mechanism includes a plunger disposed in a hollow cavity of the inner race member and having a cam surface, the cam surface engaging a plurality of balls disposed in corresponding window openings in the inner race member and capable of engaging the ring, wherein movement of the plunger within the inner race member causes the balls to extend radially outward from the window openings and causes the expandable ring to expand to disengage the wedge from the inner race.

[0031] 15. The wedge clutch according to claim 13, wherein the plunger is actuated by one of hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic and mechanical actuators.

[0032] 16. The wedge clutch according to embodiment 9, wherein the plurality of wedges are supported by a pair of excitation rings at opposite ends.

[0033] 17. The wedge clutch according to embodiment 9, wherein the recess is substantially centered within the wedge-shaped surface.

[0034] 18. A wedge for use in a wedge clutch, the wedge comprising:

[0035] The body has a support region having a pair of recesses at each end, each of the pair of recesses defining a support boss, and the body further has a wedge-shaped surface having recesses disposed therein.

[0036] 19. The wedge according to embodiment 18, wherein the recess is substantially centered within the wedge-shaped surface.

[0037] 20. The wedge according to embodiment 18, wherein the body is made of metal.

[0038] Further applicability of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0039] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a double wedge clutch system for a shaft;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the first wedge clutch assembly of a dual wedge clutch system according to the principles of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the second wedge clutch assembly of a dual wedge clutch system according to the principles of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 4 A perspective view of an example wedge clutch assembly based on the principles of this disclosure; and

[0044] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an example wedge clutch component based on the principles of this disclosure.

[0045] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals may be reused to identify similar and / or identical elements. Detailed Implementation

[0046] refer to Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of an example torque transmission system 10 with a dual-wedge clutch system 12 will now be described. The torque transmission system 10 includes an inner race member 14 and an outer race member 16. The inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16 can be separate drive or driven members of a drive system. The inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16 can be drivenly engaged with each other by a pair of oppositely oriented, disengaged wedge clutches 18, 20. The outer race member 16 can be rotatably supported on the inner race member 14 by a pair of bearings 22.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 The first wedge clutch 18 is arranged to transmit torque from the inner race member 14 to the outer race member 16 when the inner race member 14 rotates, for example, in a counterclockwise direction. Figure 2 As illustrated in the diagram. Conversely, when the inner race member 14 rotates clockwise, the first wedge clutch 18 is arranged not to transmit torque to the outer race member 16, allowing the first wedge clutch to rotate freely.

[0048] Specifically, the first wedge clutch 18 includes an array of wedge-shaped steel wedges 30 located in the annular space between the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16. Power is transmitted from one of the inner race member 14 to the other of the outer race member 16 by the wedging action of the wedges 30 between the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16. Each wedge 30 is shaped such that rotation of one of the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16 in the “drive” direction causes the wedge 30 to tilt into the wedging position, thus transmitting all torque from one race member to the other. Conversely, rotation of the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16 in the opposite direction releases the wedge and allows overtaking between the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16.

[0049] The second wedge clutch 20 is arranged opposite to the first wedge clutch 18, such that when the inner race member 14 rotates counterclockwise, as... Figure 3 As observed, the second wedge clutch 20 is arranged not to transmit torque to the outer race member 16, allowing the second wedge clutch to rotate freely. Conversely, when the inner race member 14 rotates clockwise, the second wedge clutch 20 is arranged to transmit torque to the outer race member.

[0050] Similar to the first wedge clutch 18, the second wedge clutch 20 includes an array of wedge-shaped steel wedges 30 located in an annular space between the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16. It should be understood that the first wedge clutch 18 and the second wedge clutch 20 may have the same or different designs. Power is transmitted from one of the inner race member 14 to the other of the outer race member 16 by the wedging action of the wedges 30 between them. Each wedge 30 is shaped such that rotation of one of the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16 in the “drive” direction (which is the direction of rotation opposite to the drive direction of the first wedge clutch 18) causes the wedge 30 to tilt into the wedging position, thus transmitting all torque from one race member to the other. Conversely, rotation of the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16 in the other direction releases the wedge 30 and allows overtaking between the inner race member 14 and the outer race member 16.

[0051] The operation of the first wedge clutch 18 and the second wedge clutch 20 in both driven and free-rotating states is a typical characteristic of wedge clutches. However, the first wedge clutch 18 and the second wedge clutch 20 include disengagement mechanisms capable of disengaging the clutches, such that even when they rotate in the "drive" direction, they are prevented from transmitting torque from one race to the other. Specifically, each of the first wedge clutch 18 and the second wedge clutch 20 includes a plurality of window openings 32 in a hollow tubular inner race member 14. A plurality of balls 34 are disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of window openings 32. The plurality of balls 34 are supported on the inner side within the window by plungers 36 having cam surfaces 38 that engage the plurality of balls 34. The plungers 36 are biased along a first axial direction by springs 40 extending between the plungers 36 of each of the first wedge clutch 18 and the second wedge clutch 20. Alternative designs can be used in which an actuator moves the plungers both into and out of the engaged position. Additionally, the plungers 36 of each of the first wedge clutch 18 and the second wedge clutch 20 can be interconnected so that they can move simultaneously. All of the plurality of balls 34 are disposed abutting against the inner surface of an expandable open ring 42 that surrounds the inner seat ring member 14. The expandable open ring 42 can be made of spring steel and can include overlapping open ends 42a, 42b, such as... Figure 4As shown in the diagram, the plunger 36 can be pressed axially to position the ball along the cam surface and radially outward relative to the window opening against the expandable open ring 42. Therefore, the expandable open ring 42 is radially outward to engage the wedge 30 and support it in the disengaged position, thereby creating a gap between the wedge 30 and the inner race member 14. Thus, the outer race member 16 rotates freely in the driving or free rotation direction, while the wedge 30 is not engaged. The plunger 36 can be pressed against the biasing force of the spring 38 to disengage the corresponding clutch via an actuator 44, which may include an electromagnetic actuator, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator, mechanical actuator, or other known type of actuator.

[0052] refer to Figure 5 The wedge 30 includes a radially outer support region 30a, which has a pair of end recesses 30b defining a boss 30c, the boss being disposed against the excitation ring 46, as shown. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The excitation ring 46 can bias the wedge towards the engagement position. It should be understood that the excitation ring can take alternative forms and engage the wedge in different ways. The wedge 30 further includes an inner wedge-shaped surface 30d that engages the inner seat ring member 14. A recess 30e is provided in the wedge-shaped surface 30d for receiving the expandable ring 42 therein.

[0053] The first one-way wedge clutch 18 and the second one-way wedge clutch 20, which are opposite to each other, can be mounted to the same rotating seat ring members 14, 16, and if the corresponding one of the clutches 18, 20 is disengaged, the seat ring members 14, 16 can rotate relative to each other in either direction, as described above.

[0054] These disengageable clutches 14, 16 can keep the wedges 30 disengaged in a standard one-way wedge clutch by applying internal or external forces to all the wedges 30 arranged in an array. Where the clutch was previously strictly one-way, it can now rotate in the opposite direction without the wedges re-engaging (locking) as they would normally would without internal or external forces.

[0055] A locked drive system is created by assembling two wedge clutches on the same drive shaft (one installed to operate in one direction and the other in the opposite direction), because both clutches disable the movement of the other. To initiate movement in either direction, the opposite clutch can be disengaged to allow the shaft to rotate in that direction, as described above. The clutches can be interchanged to allow the shaft or drive component to rotate in opposite directions. Both clutches can also be engaged to allow the shaft to rotate freely in either direction.

[0056] The main benefits will be small assembly size, extremely robust and durable (using proven technology from decades ago), simplicity, small parts count (compared to transmissions or rear differentials), instant lock-up, and low noise.

[0057] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. The broad teachings of this disclosure can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, its true scope should not be so limited, as other modifications will become apparent upon examination of the drawings, specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within the method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, while each of the embodiments described above is described as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of this disclosure may be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with features from any other embodiment, even if such combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the arrangement of one or more embodiments with respect to each other remains within the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] Spatial and functional relationships between components (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including “connected,” “joined,” “linked,” “adjacent,” “closely adjacent,” “on top of,” “above,” “below,” and “set.” Unless explicitly described as “direct,” when describing the relationship between the first and second components in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intervening components exist between the first and second components, or it can be an indirect relationship (spatially or functionally) between the first and second components. As used herein, at least one of the phrases A, B, and C should be interpreted as referring to the logic of using non-exclusive OR (A OR B OR C) and should not be interpreted as referring to “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

[0059] In the accompanying drawings, the direction of the arrows generally indicates the flow of information of interest (such as data or instructions). For example, when components A and B exchange various types of information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from component A to component B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from component B to component A. Furthermore, for information sent from component A to component B, component B may send a request for or confirmation of receipt of the information to component A.

Claims

1. A drive system comprising: Inner seat ring component; Outer ring component; A first disengageable wedge clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the first disengageable wedge clutch having a driving direction and a free rotation direction; as well as A second disengaged wedge clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the second disengaged wedge clutch having a drive direction and a free rotation direction opposite to those of the first disengaged wedge clutch. The first disengageable wedge clutch and the second disengageable wedge clutch each include a disengagement mechanism to prevent the first disengageable wedge clutch and the second disengageable wedge clutch from engaging in the driving direction. The disengagement mechanism includes an expandable ring that engages the wedges of a corresponding first disengageable wedge clutch and a second disengageable wedge clutch and, when expanded, prevents the wedges from engaging the inner seat ring member.

2. The drive system according to claim 1, wherein, The disengagement mechanism includes a plunger disposed in the hollow cavity of the inner seat ring member and having a cam surface. The cam surface engages with a plurality of balls disposed in corresponding window openings in the inner seat ring member and capable of engaging with the expandable ring. Movement of the plunger within the inner seat ring member causes the balls to extend radially outward from the window openings and causes the expandable ring to expand, thereby disengaging the wedge from the inner seat ring.

3. The drive system according to claim 2, wherein, The plunger is actuated by one of hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic, and mechanical actuators.

4. The drive system according to claim 1, wherein, The first disengageable wedge clutch and the second disengageable wedge clutch each include a plurality of wedges having a wedge-shaped surface for engaging the inner race member, and each of the plurality of wedges includes a recess within the wedge-shaped surface, wherein an expandable ring is received in the recess of each of the wedges.

5. The drive system according to claim 4, wherein, The recess is substantially centered within the wedge-shaped surface.

6. The drive system according to claim 4, wherein, The wedge is supported at opposite ends by a pair of excitation rings from each of the first disengaged wedge clutch and the second disengaged wedge clutch.

7. A wedge clutch, comprising: Inner seat ring component; Outer ring component; A plurality of wedges are supported between the inner seat ring member and the outer seat ring member, each of the wedges having a support area and a wedge-shaped surface, wherein a recess is provided in the wedge surface; A ring, which is received in the recess of each of the plurality of wedges; and A disengagement mechanism for preventing the plurality of wedges from engaging in the driving direction, wherein the disengagement mechanism causes the ring to expand to prevent the wedges from engaging the inner seat ring member.

8. The wedge clutch according to claim 7, wherein, The ring is made of spring steel.

9. The wedge clutch according to claim 7, wherein, The ring is an open ring.

10. The wedge clutch according to claim 7, wherein, The disengagement mechanism includes a plunger disposed in the hollow cavity of the inner race member and having a cam surface that engages with a plurality of balls disposed in corresponding window openings in the inner race member and capable of engaging with the ring. Movement of the plunger within the inner race member causes the balls to extend radially outward from the window openings and causes the expandable ring to expand, thereby disengaging the wedge from the inner race.

11. The wedge clutch according to claim 10, wherein, The plunger is actuated by one of hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic, and mechanical actuators.

12. The wedge clutch according to claim 7, wherein, The plurality of wedges are supported by a pair of excitation rings at opposite ends.

13. The wedge clutch according to claim 7, wherein, The recess is substantially centered within the wedge-shaped surface.

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